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Slough’s Young People Lead Campaign Against Exploitation

Slough’s Young People Lead Campaign Against Exploitation

by | Mar 18, 2025 | Campaigning, Exploitation, Knife Crime, Participation, Resources, Safeguarding, Slough, Social Action, Young people's voices, Youth Work

“It was great to be a part of something young people created to help other young people. It made me feel proud to be able to spread awareness about such an important topic.” Isla, 17

On National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, we celebrate the invaluable contribution of young people from Slough to a nationwide campaign tackling county lines exploitation. This initiative, spearheaded by UK Youth and Stop the Traffik and funded by Burger King, aims to raise awareness of child criminal exploitation in key hotspot areas. Working in collaboration with Together As One in Slough and United Youth Alliance in Blackpool, groups of young people played a pivotal role in developing the campaign materials that have since been widely disseminated.

The campaign provided young people with a dedicated online platform where they could access further information. Since its launch, the campaign has achieved remarkable reach and impact:

  • 383,688 young people across England have been engaged in raising awareness about county lines.
  • 54.5% of respondents reported that the campaign made them realise they, or someone they know, might be at risk of exploitation.
  • 3,131 individuals watched at least half of the campaign video.
  • 5.02% of those who viewed the advert clicked on the ‘learn more’ button to explore further resources.

What is County Lines?

County Lines refers to the practice of organised criminal networks and gangs transporting illegal drugs across different regions, often exploiting children and vulnerable individuals in the process. Those targeted are frequently subjected to coercion, intimidation, and violence, sometimes involving weapons. The illicit activity typically spans police and local authority boundaries, though not exclusively.

Recruitment can take place in person or online. Young people are often approached in locations such as fast-food restaurants, shopping centres, parks, outside their homes, or on their way to school. Increasingly, social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and online gaming forums serve as digital spaces where young people are groomed and exploited.

Designing the Campaign

Over two days, young people in Slough took part in a structured creative process to develop their campaign materials. They began by exploring the idea of vulnerability, reflecting on their own experiences to understand how and why young people can be at risk of exploitation. Building on this, they identified key groups they wanted to reach, considering factors such as age, gender, and background.

Young people's views on vulnerability

Young people’s views on vulnerability

To ensure their campaign met the needs of these audiences, they outlined the specific challenges young people face in relation to county lines, grooming, and exploitation. From there, they discussed the most important messages to share, focusing on raising awareness and highlighting the risks of criminal exploitation.

With these foundations in place, they moved on to designing the campaign itself. Drawing inspiration from social media trends, they developed creative ideas that would appeal to their peers. They then produced digital materials, including videos and social media content, to maximise engagement. After testing their work within their peer groups, they refined the content based on feedback.

Finally, they contributed to the development of a website to serve as an online hub, offering information and resources for those seeking help or advice. The campaign website can be found here: County Lines Campaign 2024 | STOP THE TRAFFIK

The young people’s prototypes

One of the most striking aspects of the campaign was the young people’s innovative approach to content creation. They leveraged an emerging internet trend—one that initially baffled older professionals but has proven highly effective. Their method involved overlaying a voiceover narrative onto video game footage or similarly engaging visual content. Research suggests that retention rates for stories accompanied by unrelated but visually stimulating material are significantly higher. The young people demonstrated exceptional creativity, and their final campaign assets really closely resembled their original prototypes.

 

We are immensely proud of the young people involved in this project. Their ability to shape a campaign that has reached hundreds of thousands of their peers is a testament to their insight and determination. One of the most impressive elements of their work was their nuanced understanding of vulnerability. In a brainstorming session, they identified 41 distinct factors contributing to vulnerability, demonstrating a depth of awareness that can only come from lived experience. Their contribution has been invaluable in ensuring that this campaign speaks directly to those who need it most.

Together As One

Together As One was established over 25 years ago in Slough due to gang tensions. Ever since then, participation has been at the heart of what we do, making TAO a natural choice for UK Youth and Stop the Traffik when they were searching for locally embedded organisations to really capture the views of young people. We began with a quote from a young person on the project – we will finish with one too. Here’s Mohammed (16):

I knew deep inside that this was all for a great cause and that it deserved my full efforts and responsibility. The people I met, the work – we all had a share in – and the experiences we gathered, was truly amazing. I pray that what we have done can resonate and bring about a positive impact on even more young people in the country who may be exposed to county lines: that this may be their ticket to escaping from their silent suffering. I’m extremely grateful for the sheer amount of people we’ve reached and for the opportunity I’ve been given.

Max’s story: Finding his way with Hospital Navigators

Max’s story: Finding his way with Hospital Navigators

by | Jan 24, 2025 | Hospital, Mental Health, Stories, Young people's voices, Youth Work

He was reluctant to speak when we first met Max* through our Hospital Navigators project. But after getting to know us and accepting support, his confidence skyrocketed – and he’s now a regular volunteer at Together As One. This is his story. 

But first, here’s a bit about the Hospital Navigators. 

The Hospital Navigators project is made up of youth workers and trained volunteers who support young people present at the Emergency Department due to mental health, substance use, violence and related issues. 

The Hospital Navigators support those aged 11-25 and signpost them to the right provision, including all the work we do at Together As One. Since most referrals are received out of hours, our Hospital Navigators can contact the young person directly to offer support whenever they need it. 

Within a year, 310 young people were referred to the scheme. Max was one of the 158 who were supported onto a positive pathway to help break the cycle of readmission. 

Following the initial engagement, the Hospital Navigators spoke to Max’s mum – who confirmed she’d appreciate any support. After giving Max time and space to think things over, they followed up with a phone call and hashed out a plan to provide continued support. 

A couple of months later, Max attended his first session at Volunteer Night in August 2022 and has been engaging in many of our provisions ever since. 

As well as coming to our weekly Volunteer Night, where he participates in many community projects like our bee-keeping project, he also attends our SEND Youth Forum where he advocates for young people with SEND. 

During the holidays, he takes part in our HAF provision, Global Grub, where young people can learn how to cook, play games and get stuck into crafting activities. Max rated it a solid 10/10 – saying it provided a great space to socialise and learn new skills. 

In total, Max has completed 131 sessions which amounts to 405.5 hours! We’re so proud of his progress so far and his transformation into a confident and engaging young person. 

If you’d like more information about Hospital Navigators, get in touch with Romaan at [email protected]. 

*Name changed to protect privacy.

Meet Raheem: Our latest addition to the Together As One team!

Meet Raheem: Our latest addition to the Together As One team!

by | Jan 8, 2025 | Mental Health, Stories, Young people's voices, Youth Work

A warm welcome to Raheem Adris-Briggs our new Project Worker. 

Born and raised in Slough, Raheem’s journey to TAO is rooted in his passion for writing, mental health advocacy and empowering young people. From first dipping his toe into Together As One as a volunteer to becoming a full-time member of staff, Raheem has been dedicated to making a positive impact from day one. 

We caught up with Raheem to learn about his experience, passions and how he supports our young people. 

Tell us about yourself 

Born in Slough, I’ve spent most of my life here. I went to Westgate and then Windsor College before going to The University of Roehampton where I worked towards a degree in Creative and Professional Writing. As an aspiring Journalist, I hope to use my writing to speak about my various passions, including sports and, most importantly, mental health. 

How did you get into working with children and young people? 

It’s a funny story, actually. For one of my modules at Uni, I was required to find and undertake a work placement. My mum has always worked with young people, so I asked if she knew anyone to help. She mentioned a great guy who runs youth provisions, including a volunteer night every Tuesday – his name was Rob. So, she put me in touch. Rob was great, told me more about Volunteer Night, and I started helping out every week. Little did I know, that I would end up staffing that same Volunteer Night with the team, among other groups and projects. 

What made you decide to join TAO? 

For me, feeling comfortable and surrounded by a collective of like-minded people is really important. Since my early days volunteering, everyone at TAO made me feel welcome and valued. It’s not a given that you can be your authentic self everywhere you work, but it is at TAO. It is a great environment to tailor your skills, develop your strengths and be yourself. 

On a more personal level, I’ve seen a lot growing up in Slough, which has not only affected me but my friends and classmates. As someone lucky enough to navigate through the tribulations, I hope to help young people do the same by being a positive role model. 

What have been your highlights of working with TAO so far? 

I think it’s the small things that mean the most a lot of the time. I’ve had children come up to me and say, “Thank you, you made me feel happy today.” I’ve witnessed the young people I work with on BOOST progress towards their goals, whether that is falling back in love with their hobbies or starting to understand the way they work. It’s a blessing to be in a position where you can make a difference in the many lives you encounter. 

The office also has such a good vibe – everyone on the team is so friendly, approachable and eager to learn from one another. It makes all the difference. 

Your role is all about empowering young people, what makes you feel empowered? 

I would say being heard – not just having someone hear what you say, but listening on a deeper level. And likewise, actively listening to others. Good conversations with respectful people can teach you a lot about others and yourself too. 

What activities and/or hobbies bring you joy? 

Listening to music is probably my biggest hobby at the moment. I’ve recently started collecting vinyl, which has deepened my enjoyment and experience. I’m big on Frank Ocean, Travis Scott, SZA and Billie Eilish – if it sounds good or interesting, I’ll find enjoyment in it. 

Recently, writing poetry has been another big one for me. It’s helped me process and come to terms with many things in my life. Going to poetry nights and performing has also developed my confidence in public speaking and talking openly about my emotions, which is so important. 

I love sport, too. Football and basketball are my favourites to watch and play. Although I am a Manchester United fan, sometimes supporting my team brings me more pain than pleasure. 

What do you think makes a good and connected community? 

I would say a space where people feel safe to express themselves and are willing to learn from one another. There is peace in understanding that we all think and behave differently, as that is what makes us unique. Connection comes from respecting one another and empowering everyone to have a voice. 

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self? 

Stay the course – trust in yourself, and trust in God. You are becoming the person that you are meant to be not in spite of, but because of the challenges you face.  

 

In his new role, Raheem supports young people through BOOST, Hive, Hive+, Navigators and Volunteer Night. Get in touch with Raheem at 07743560263 or email him at [email protected]

Boost Project features in a new youth mental health report

Boost Project features in a new youth mental health report

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Mental Health, Policy

We are thrilled to share that our Boost Project has been featured in a landmark report by the prominent mental health organisation, Rethink Mental Illness. The report, titled Towards a Cohesive Whole, emphasises the critical role of the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in bridging service gaps and providing early, holistic support for mental health needs. However, it also calls for stronger and more effective collaboration between the NHS and the VCSE sector.

Our Boost Project is proudly showcased as one of seven successful examples of partnerships between the NHS and the voluntary sector, highlighting how collaboration can enhance the delivery of care.

Key Findings

The report underscores the urgent need for a cohesive, whole-system approach to address the mental health needs of children and young people (CYP). Among its key findings are:

  • One in five young people in England lives with a mental illness or disorder, yet nearly half lack access to the support they need.
  • A comprehensive strategy is essential to close this treatment gap, prevent escalating mental health challenges, and ensure young people receive timely and effective care.
  • The VCSE sector plays a vital role in delivering early intervention and holistic support, but it must be recognised as an equal partner to statutory services for its contributions to be fully realised.
  • Dedicated funding is required to enable all components of the mental health system to work seamlessly together to support young people.

The report advocates for a transformative, long-term plan for CYP mental health, centred on integrating services across sectors and encouraging robust collaboration between the NHS and the VCSE sector. With the upcoming Ten Year Health Plan, there is a pivotal opportunity to establish a visionary framework for CYP mental health that prioritises a cohesive, whole-system approach.

This recognition of the Boost Project reinforces our commitment to creating impactful partnerships and delivering meaningful support to young people in need. We would like to thank our colleagues at UK Youth for supporting us in making the project happen and our colleagues at CAMHS for working with the collaborative ethos advocated by this report.

To read the report, please visit the Rethink Mental Illness website here.